Now Hiring: Community Educator

Reporting to the Manager of Public and Youth Engagement of the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, in New Haven CT, the Community Educator is responsible for: 1) planning and successfully executing the Museum’s public education programs, including but not limited to major and minor weekday and weekend programs, such as family days, Free Thursdays, overnight sleepovers, and occasional evening programs; 2) oversee all aspects of Museum summer camp program, including staff supervision, curriculum, and budgets; 3) apply proven pedagogical and VSO (visitor service organization) practices to program development and execution, and serve as spokesperson or liaison for Museum during public programs; 4) evaluate community needs and develop culturally relevant tools and practices to serve New Haven residents 5) develop and maintain relationships with local schools, libraries, community organizations, and youth programs to broaden participation and reach new audiences through outreach initiatives, 6) work with museum personnel and community organizations to develop, market, and implement the museum’s annual Fiesta Latina and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations; 7) with senior management, develop strategic plan and evaluative tools for Peabody public programs that leads to the creation of innovative, sustainable programs to diversify museum audiences. Successful candidates will demonstrate an understanding of museum-related educational practices, interest in equity, diversity, and inclusion, a keen sense of customer service, enjoy being part of a team, and have excellent communication skills. Tuesday-Saturday schedule and some evenings required. Full-time 37.5 hours per week. Background in science, education, museum studies, or sociology preferred. At least 3 years of museum or teaching experience preferred. Supervisory experience required.

Interested candidates can contact me directly with a resume and cover letter, and can apply via Yale STARS req # 43928BR. Application process will close on July 28.

Neighborhoods: What is Working

Transcription of John and Peter's July 25th conversation with Cormac Russell on his work with communities, agencies, NGOs and governments using ABCD and other strengths-based approaches in Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, South Africa, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Canada and Australia.

Deborah Puntenney has been a colleague of John McKnight and Jody Kretzmann at the Asset-Based Community Development Institute for 25 years. In this transcribed conversation, John and Peter talk with her about how her work focuses on engaging citizens to become effective co-producers of their own health and well-being.

Open Street Project

The Open Streets Project is partnering with the non-profit organization New Brunswick Tomorrow to deliver an educational Open Streets Study Tour in New Brunswick, NJ from October 6th - October 8th. The Study Tour will feature classroom sessions, networking opportunities, a behind the scenes tour of New Brunswick’s industry leading Ciclovia.

The Open Streets Project has undergone some changes over the last year. We bid a sad farewell to project co-founder, the Alliance for Biking & Walking, who are moving on to other things, and we happily welcomed a new partner, international Open Streets leader 8 80 Cities. We are excited for all the possibilities and energy this partnership will bring.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

In St. Paul, MN, a summer celebration of arts and entrepreneurship, modeled on night markets in Asia, has galvanized commerce and culture along University Avenue. LISC's longtime partner, the Asian Economic Development Association, is leading the charge to revitalize the district, where Southeast Asian residents and businesspeople have incorporated a "a Minnesota twist."

In an interview for Rural Voices, a publication of the Housing Assistance Council, Bob Reeder, Rural LISC's director for national programs, discusses the importance of inclusion, diversity and economic equity when bringing arts and culture into community development efforts. With those key ingredients, creative placemaking can be a winning proposition for rural revitalization.